FOOTHILLS ACADEMY
NEW PARENTS’ MEETING
TUESDAY 20th June 2023
Greetings from the Board of Governors
(Kristin Smith, Vice Chair of the Board)
Foothills Academy Society Structure
FOOTHILLSACADEMYSOCIETY
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
EXECUTIVE CO-DIRECTORS
Dr. Karen MacMillan & Mr. Simon Williams
BUSINESS OFFICE
COMMUNITYSERVICES
SCHOOLPROGRAM
FOOTHILLS ACADEMY PARENTS ASSOCIATION (FAPA) Board of Directors
Board of Governors
Board Members (November 2023):
Harold Esche Chair
Kristin Smith Vice Chair
Angie Bishop Secretary
Dennis Auger Treasurer
Kathryn MacNeil F.A.P.A. Representative
Leslie Archibald Governor
Leo Golden Governor
Carmella Steinke Governor
Elke Meyer Governor
Karen MacMillan Executive Co-Director
Simon Williams Executive Co-Director
Welcome from Simon and Karen
▪ Overview of Foothills Academy’s philosophy
▪ An understanding of what next year looks like
▪ Who and where to ask questions - intro to admin’
▪ The importance of relationships and communication
▪ The knowledge that we’re all in this together
▪kmacmillan@foothillsacademy.org
▪siwilliams@foothillsacademy.org
MISSION
The mission of Foothills Academy is to facilitate learning in persons, primarily youth and children, identified as having a learning disability by providing quality educational programs and a supportive environment for families and staff. We recognize that we are interdependent with our global community - by participating in research, public education, in-service and advocacy, through community service.
Three Pillars FindUnderstanding BuildConfidence MaximizePotential
Relatedness FindUnderstanding Competence BuildConfidence Autonomy MaximizePotential
Our goals for your child: We Provide: understanding; strong relationships; regular opportunities to experience success; and evidence-based teaching practices Students Begin to Show: greater self-knowledge; increased confidence; more willingness to ask questions; and more strategy use Which Results In: increased academic success; improved emotional well-being; intrinsic motivation; increased empowerment; and greater sense of control over their future
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION TEAM
Organization of the School
Team 1
Grades 3- 6
Team 2
Grades 7 – 9
Team 3
Grades 10 -12
Academics
*Alberta Program of Study
✔Emphasis on Literacy, Numeracy and Executive Functioning
✔Skills & Learning Strategies classes are for remediation of reading, writing and math
✔High school students have the prerequisite courses for post secondary
Graduating Class of 2023
ACADEMICS
The School Day
Monday to Thursday 8:30 am-3:25 pm
Friday 8:35 am-12:40 pm
Lunchtime: 12:00 pm-12:50 pm, lunches eaten in homerooms
Grades 8 - 12 are allowed to leave the campus during lunch
Grades 8 - 9 need parental permission to leave
Skills
Grades 3- 6
Reading, writing and math as needed
Grades 7 – 9
Each student has 1 session each of reading, writing and math
Grades 10 – 12
Learning Strategies which includes executive functioning skills, study strategies, extra academic support and career exploration
Technology
Technology Provided
Grades 3 - 6: iPad
Grades 7 - 12: laptops or Chromebooks
Assistive Technology Consulting withAssistiveTechnology Specialist
Speech toText
C- pens Apps
Full time Assistive Technology Specialist to assist students
Team 1 (grades 3-6)
Homerooms:
12 - 14 students, a Teacher and and Educational Assistants.
Homeroom class at the beginning and end of each day
Physical Education everyday
Flex time, Art & Health 2- 4 times a week
Skills 4 times a week
Team 2 (Grades 7-9)
Homerooms: 12-14 students, a Teacher and a shared Educational Assistant.
Homeroom class at the beginning and end of each day
Physical Education is everyday
Electives 2-4 times a week (selection will be at the beginning of the year)
Skills 4 times a week
Homework Club & Office Hours Monday-Thursday 3:35 - 4:15pm
Bussing (for all families)
Bus routes sent to parents in mid-August.
This will include:
◦ Pick up times
◦ Pickup/ drop off locations
◦ Route reverses
◦ Drop off times vary; check Southland website for delays
◦ http://mybusstop.ca/
◦ September is a trial for efficiency
◦ Bus drivers are consistent throughout the year
◦ Will contact you if you did not indicate bussing needs
◦ Bus contact: Colleen Hnatiuk (chnatiuk@foothillsacademy.org)
My Bus Stop
Team 3 (grades 10-12)
Homerooms: 12 - 14 students, a Teacher and a shared Educational Assistant. Homeroom class at the beginning and end of each day
Physical Education is everyday
Electives 4 times a week (selection will be at the beginning of the year)
Learning Strategies 4 times a week
Subject classes - SEMESTERS
12 - 14 * students
* some high school classes may have up to 17 in select courses e.g. Physics 20
Team 2 & 3 Electives (scheduled)
▪ Life Skills
▪Film Studies
▪ Photography
▪ Drama
▪Creative Entrepreneurship
▪Fibre Arts
▪ Outdoor Education
▪ Leadership
▪ 3D Printing
▪ Art
▪ Model Building
▪ Strategic Games
Clubs at Lunch & After School
- Games
- Tech deck
- GSA
- LINKages
- Anime
- Film Club
- Homework
- Two Wheel View
- Bee Hive
- Running Club
- Dungeons & Dragons
Teams & Extra Curricular
Homework
Grades 3 – 6
- practice reading
- practice math facts
Grade 7 -9
- practice reading
- assignments and projects
Grade 10 -12
- depends on course load
- should be reviewing and studying every night
Preparing for the Future
High school students are guided through post-secondary transitions.
Students are supported with their post graduate decisions whether it be school, work or travel
We have a full-time Learning Strategist/Career Counsellor on staff who works with students and their families to make post graduation decisions
Additional Support
Literacy and Numeracy specialist to support skills classes, CBMs, small group work, assessments.
If your child needs: Counselling, OT, and SLP it is by referral, in consultation with teachers, family and Administration
Reports
IPP’s are a collaborative process with the student and the family
Progress Reports inform on the program of studies
Healthy Hunger
Hug and Go
E- news
• We send out information through our School E-News. If you have not received any of them, call Reception to make sure we have the right email address
• During the school year, look for it every Tuesday in your email
Meet the Team
Family Meet and Greet - Pancake Breakfast
August 31st
Meet with the Homeroom teachers and visit classrooms
More information will be shared by email after August 1st
What will my Child Need?
- Water bottle with name
- Backpack
- Grades 3 - 6 need indoor shoes
- Lunch and snack
- School supplies provided (binder, pens, pencils, etc)
During the Summer
Fundraising and Volunteering
Rallying around our students is a big part of being in the Foothills Academy Society Family.
● Making a donation - monetary or items
● Connecting us to your network or sponsoring an event
● Volunteer opportunities - on the Volunteer Hub
● or … with FAPA!
Contact: Kathleen Gurski
kgurski@foothillsacademy.org
Fundraising
Do you have questions about….
▪ Family Commitment
▪ Tuition Receipts
▪ Income Tax Receipts
▪ Volunteering (police checks)
▪ Merchandise/Service Donations
▪ Fundraising Events
Contact: Dave Bolink
dbolink@foothillsacademy.org
Foothills Academy Parents Association
Welcome!
What is FAPA??
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of every Month
FAPA Membership Fees Watch the enews for dates and link
Foothills Academy Parents Association
2023 Car Raffle
2023 Chevy Blazer RS!
Watch your Emails
Family Commitment
I am here to help you!
Talena
rafflechair.fapa@foothillsacademy.org
Foothills Academy has given us the inspiration to push ourselves each and every day to become the best that we can be. “
Foothills Academy Valedictorian
“
It’s taught us who we are, what we can become, and that we have the capability to achieve anything.
Contacts
Simon Williams: Executive Co-Director siwilliams@foothillsacademy.org
Karen MacMillan: Executive Co-Director kmacmillan@foothillsacademy.org
Ashley Barber: Principal abarber@foothillsacademy.org
Kathleen Phelan:Team 1 Vice Principal kphelan@foothillsacademy.org
Sean Horton:Team 2 Vice Principal shorton@foothillsacademy.org
Ashley Rewcastle:Team 3 Vice Principal arewcastle@foothillsacademy.org
Dave Bolink: BusinessAdministrator dbolink@foothillsacademy.org
Angie Bishop: FAPAPresident president.fapa@foothillsacademy.org
QUESTIONS…
